Close up lens for 5 x 7

[Ironage]

I have an old Kodak 5 x 7 camera, and was wanting to use it for close up pictures. My 180mm is not doing the job for me, I need to get closer. Even with the bellows extended to its full 13" it still doesn't get very close. I am thinking of going with a bit longer focal length but am afraid that with the short bellows extension that I will not gain any. Not sure what to do next or if close ups will be possible with this camera.

Anyone's advice would be appreciated.

Tim

 

[keithwms]

Do you want 1:1 or higher? Nikkor 120 macro AM ED.

 

[richard ide]

You need a shorter focal length for higher magnification. A 13" bellows would give you over 3x enlargement with a 90mm lens. Another thought would be to use an enlarging lens with a neutral density filter to extend exposures enough to use a lens cap as a shutter.

 

[archphoto]

With 330mm bellows you already are close to 1:1 as 360mm would be theoreticly 1:1 with a 180mm lens.
You could try a cheap close-up lens from ebay or a pricier one with more quality, but if you will get the quality you want this way: I doubt it.
You get one that you could use for an other format and use step-up rings to fit (largest filter-size and then adapt to the other lens), in that way your money will not be entirely wasted.

If you want real close-up quality you will have to look at a 300mm or longer lens on 5x7 inch and a diferent camera like a Sinar......

An other option would be cropping your 5x7 picture down to 5x3,5 inch (or there abouts), it would be te cheapest to start out with.

Peter

 

[richard ide]

I have used enlarging lenses for macrophotography and the quality can be superb. Sometimes reversing the lens can be an asset.

 

[Ironage]

It didn't even occur to me to go with shorter focal length! Now that it is mentioned I have to look into it. Thanks for the tips!

 

[pgomena]

Yes, a shorter focal length. A 13" bellows on a 5x7 is not very much draw. Many 4x5" field cameras have only 12-13" of bellows, so you are a bit disadvantaged from the start. The tip above about using an enlarging lens is a good one. If you have a 100 or 150mm lens or shorter, you're in business.

Peter Gomena

 

[keithwms]

I use the Nikkor 120 quite a bit for 1:1 and further, and there is a very good matching Nikon diopter (called a "4T", I think) that really opens up new possibilities... in any format size.